Class 3 — The Couple Calls
Units covered: M9, M10, M11, M12. Units assumed: M1–M8 — the ring, the allemande, the
grand, Pass Thru and Wheel Around.
The units in this class
| Unit | Call | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| M9 | Courtesy Turn | turns a facing pair into a couple, hands joined |
| M10 | Right and Left Thru | passes a facing couple and turns them round together |
| M11 | Swing | turns your partner in a closed hold |
| M12 | Ladies Chain | sends the Girls across for a Courtesy Turn and back |
Before you start
- They can Pass Thru and finish back to back without being told twice.
- They can turn a quarter in place and stay on their own spot.
- They know their partner from their corner without hesitating.
Teaching sequence
- M9 — Courtesy Turn. Teach this before any call that uses it: one couple in the middle, turning slowly, while the class watches the joined hands. Pre-empt the Boy who steers with his arm.
- M10 — Right and Left Thru. Walk it once without saying the name: it is a Pass Thru plus a Courtesy Turn. Pre-empt the couple who drift diagonally across the square.
- M11 — Swing. Show the hold before the turn, and swing with the class in two halves so you can watch. Pre-empt the dancer who leans back and lets their partner carry them.
- M12 — Ladies Chain. Teach the hand the Girl offers as she crosses, and wait for the Boys to form the Courtesy Turn before the chain goes back. Pre-empt the Girl who starts back too early.
Drills
- Heads Right and Left Thru Heads Ladies Chain Heads Swing Promenade Home
Trains the three couple calls in the order callers most often use them.
- Heads Pass Thru Heads Right and Left Thru Heads Pass Thru Heads Right and Left Thru
Trains Pass Thru into the Courtesy Turn until the turn is automatic.
- Heads Pass Thru Heads Wheel Around Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains the closing figure, after a short piece of Heads dancing.
Checks
- The Courtesy Turn finishes with hands apart — keep the hands joined all the way.
- Right and Left Thru ends facing the wrong wall — watch the feet.
- Swings look like a race — hum the beat and swing again slower.
- Ladies Chain returns the Girl facing out — walk it once with two couples only.